Fishing Report (Updated 11.11.2009)

Lake Wateree has dropped to 96% of full pool. 

Catfish: Very good.  Captain Rodger Taylor (803-328-9587) reports that the bite for juvenile blue catfish in the 1-6 pound range is very good in the main channel near the middle of the lake.  Fish are suspended less than 10 feet deep in 20-30 feet of water and feeding on schools of shad.  The best way to fill a cooler is to drift small cut perch in 20-25 feet of water on deeper flats which are packed with bait in the morning and afternoon.  Feeding striper are shattering the schools and creating easy meals for the catfish early in the morning. 

Striped Bass:  Good.  A&B Outfitters (803-438-8802) reports that striped bass fishing is good early and late.  Some fish can be found schooling around points and live or dead herring are good baits.  As surface temperatures continue to cool look for surface activity to pick up – watch for the birds. 

Crappie: Fair.  Look around bridges up the creeks and fish minnows vertically against the pilings.

Largemouth Bass: Slow.  Bass fishing is still tough on Lake Wateree and weights in the first few CATT tournaments of the season have been low.  2009 Walmart FLW Co-Angler of the Year Dearal Rodgers suggests following the shad to find bass in Lake Wateree during the fall.  Remember that fish will not necessarily be orienting to the bottom and so fish mid-depths, too.  Buzzbaits, crankbaits, swimming jigs and spinnerbaits are all good choices.   To read about fall bass fishing on Lake Wateree with Dearal Rodgers visit: http://www.scfishingreport.com/Pages/sc_message_boards/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=3288.    

No DHEC fish advisories.

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